US military in Darwin: questions, concerns and support

By Clare Rawlinson

Northern Territory Chief Minister Paul Henderson says most Territorians won't be threatened by the expansion of US troops training in Darwin, but the Greens say the move compromises Australia's independence.

Speaking to the media this morning, Mr Henderson said the Territory was "troop friendly", whether it be for Americans or Australians, and that the expansion of US military training in Darwin would bring much needed economic activity.

"I think this is a good thing for our nation, a good thing for the NT and a good thing for Darwin. Most Territorians won't be threatened by this at all," he told 105.7 ABC Breakfast.

Meanwhile, Greens leader Bob Brown said the expansion should have seen rigorous public and parliamentary debate before being signed off on.

"There's been no detail at all and that's why I think a parliamentary debate is required," he said.

US President Barack Obama yesterday announced there would be an additional 250 US troops training in Darwin under Australia's facilities, but the number would be scaled up to 2,500 over the next five years - marking the beginning of a "strategic, decisive" plan for the alliance in the region.

This morning, Mr Obama addressed Federal Parliament with a speech, outlining more details about the plan for the US presence in the Asia-Pacific region.

"After 2,500 (troops),what then - what about nuclear free Australia? Is there going to be a prohibition on nuclear weapons in Australia?" Mr Brown said.

"It's not good enough for an independent nation like Australia to be left in the dark by any other nation...If there are nuclear-powered ships coming into out ports then we have the right to know that.

"Australia is looking at giving up its option to be an independent nation in this region," he said, adding that the Greens would test the assumptions about the "massive strategic change in our neighbourhood".

The Australian Defence Association's executive director Neil James reiterated to the public that the expansion of US troops was not tantamount to a military base in the Northern Territory.

"This is a large extension of an existing system - it won't mean an American base and it won't mean the Americans controlling an area in Australia," he said.

"I think people are worrying over nothing here."

He said one big drivers for the training location was the advantage of space - a limitation the US bears with its training facilities in Guam.

The President will visit Darwin this afternoon, where he is expected to lay a wreath at the USS Peary memorial and then address a group of VIPs and the media at the RAAF Darwin base.